2 babies die after incident at unlicensed daycare in Jerusalem’s Romema neighborhood

Two babies have died after they were found in a critical condition in an unlicensed Jerusalem daycare, Hebrew media reports.

The reports say the two babies aged four months were taken to hospital, where medics declared their deaths.

According to the ultra-Orthodox Behadrei Haredim news site, it was the first day that one of the babies attended the daycare.

The Magen David Adom emergency service says 53 other babies and toddlers were injured in the incident at the daycare in a number of adjacent apartments on Ha’Mem Gimel Street in the Haredi-majority Romema neighborhood.

Three of the caregivers at the daycare have been detained for questioning, police say.

While the incident was initially reported to involve hazardous materials, police say they have now ruled that out as a cause of injury.